Civil rights group involved that family of George Nkencho haven’t been interviewed about his killing

A CIVIL Rights watchdog said it was concerned that testimonies from George Nkencho’s family, who were present at the time of his murder, have not yet been incorporated.

The Irish Civil Liberties Council has written to the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission on the matter, outlining the international legal obligations to fully investigate the shooting.

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George NkenchoPhoto credit: Facebook

This includes the need to fully investigate the possibility of racial bias, as well as to include and update the Nkencho family in the overall investigation.

In a statement, the ICCL said: “In this regard, it is particularly worrying that the Nkencho family has not yet been interviewed by GSOC.”

The 27-year-old was shot dead by Gardai on December 30th last year in Clonee, West Dublin.

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He allegedly brandished and threatened Gardai before he was shot and killed by members of the Blanchardstown Garda Armed Support Unit.

Doireann Ansbro, ICCL Director of Legal and Policy, said: “We have asked GSOC to interview the Nkencho family as soon as possible in order to restore confidence that the investigation will be thorough.

“We also asked them to respect all of the Gardai’s human rights obligations, including non-discrimination.

“We believe there is a need to ensure that potential biases are investigated – both explicitly and implicitly.”

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The group says that in order to properly investigate it might be necessary for the GSOC to recommend a more comprehensive systemic investigation, which could include whether police officers are adequately trained on bias and an investigation into policing of minority communities.

ICCL added that further investigation will likely be required if the GSOC investigation does not meet the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The GSOC has stated that it is aware of the state’s obligations under the ECHR and has an obligation to conduct a fair investigation for all parties, including the Gardai involved.